Automatic train control



G. W. SELL.

momma TRAIN CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED $P.T.2I. 19.18.

Patented Feb. 17', 1920.

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G. W. SELL.

AUTGMATIC TRAIN CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21,1918.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

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u I I G. W. SELL.

AUTOMATIC TRA|N.CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-21. 191s.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

a 6 [a 5e 11 GEORGE W. SELL, F PORTLAND, OREGON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

Application filed September 21, 1918. Serial No. 255,185.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE XV. SELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in an Automatic Train Corr trol, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a train controlling apparatus, and the object is to provide mean." for automatically cutting ofi the power and applying the brakes when a given circuit and ramp rail is energized by the operation of suitable mechanism under the control of a tower man.

A further object is to provide means for effecting the results above indicated by employing an electro-magnet controlling an armature which in turn controls a cutout device or other means for cutting off the power of an electric or other locomotive and means controlled by the movement of the armature for simultaneously admitting air to a cylinder containing a plunger mounted to control a valve in the air brake line.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view.

Fig. 2 is a section of the train-carried apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is in elevation and section and shows the apparatus applied to a steam locomotive.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a ramp rail and a contact making element.

Figs. 6 and 7 are further views of the contact making device.

Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic views showing the circuits and connections employed for indicating danger at a bridge.

Fig. 10 is a detail of the circuit closing means illustrated in Fig. 8.

Referring to Fig. 1 a section of track is designated 10 and located at suitable intervals along the track and between the rails thereof are ramp rails 12 through which a signal may be given by an operator located in a tower at a given point, by energizing a circuit of which the ramp rails form a part, thereby making it possible to energize a magnet carried by an apparatus on the locomotive or motor car, for breaking the circuit of the motor, in the event that a motor car or electric locomotive is employed. At the time the circuit of the electric motor is broken a valve in the train pipe is operated for automatically operating the air brakes.

The apparatus carried by the locomotive mounted within a casing and includes a magnet 21 having a pole piece 22 and controlling an armature 23 pivoted at 24. This armature has connection with a rod 25 pivoted at 26 and also pivoted at 27 to an arm 28 of any suitable cut-out device for making and breaking the main circuit of the motor by which the car or locomotive is driven.

Connected with armature 23 at the point 29 is a rod 30 pivoted at 31 to an arm 32 having connection with the handle 33 of a valve 34 in a pipe leading to a cylinder 36. This cylinder is provided with a plunger 37 under the control of a spring 38, the plunger bein operated by air pressure introduced from a main reservoir and through the pi e 35. The operation of the plunger by the pressure introduced as indicated, throws arm 40, having a pin and slot connection at 41 with the stem 42 of the plunger. Arm has connection with and controls valve 43 in the train pipe 44, reducing the pressure when opened and effecting the operation of the air brakes. The exhaust from cylinder 36 is through cock 46.

Each of the ramp rails comprises a rail member beveled at the opposite ends as shown at 51 in Fig. 5. From tower circuit through these rails is through source of current 52 switch 59, a line Wire, branch wire 54, rail 55, to the train carried apparatus, leading thence through the wheels to the insulated rails of the track 10 and thence to the signal tower 60 through wire 61.

The apparatus carried by the train or by the locomotive for effecting contact with the ramp rails includes a wheel 64 mounted in a forked bracket 65 under the control of a spring 66 mounted in a casing 67. A lead wire 68 is in electrical connection with wheel 64 and conducts the current to magnet 21 previously referred to.

In applying this construction to a steam locomotive I connect throttle lever 70 by means of rod 71 with lever 72, pivoted at 73 to the stem 74, of plunger 75, corresponding with plunger 37 above referred to. This construction is shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 I have shown means for energizing the ramp rails, especially adapted for use on a bridge, or other similar point along the roadway Where accidents are likely to occur. Y

A plurality of contact making elements 80 are normally held inoperative by a hemp rope 81 passing over pulleys 82 and through guiding devices 83. Elements 80.0perate in guiding members 84: carried on casings 85, the latter mounting complementary contact elements 86. Batteries 87 may be located here if desired, or the entire current may be supplied from the towers.

Wires 88 lead to ramp rails 89 and the latter have connection with a line wire 90 communicating with tower or towers 91 in which the operator or operators are located. One of the insulated ramp rails 92 also leads to the tower, through the connections shown, and the circuit is completed through battery 93 and switch 94. The switch or a track, means electrically connecting said rail with a circuit closing device, means adapted to be carried by a car or train for carried by the car or train and adapted to have electric connection with the ramp rail, said apparatusmcluding an electro-magnet adapted to be placed in circuit with said rail last. named, the armature therefor, a motor circuit, a pivoted cut-out device forsaid circuit, an air cylinder, an air inlet pipe for the cylinder, a valve in said pipe, an arm connected with the stem of the valve, a plurality of links one of which connects the arm with the armature, and the other of which connects the pivoted cut-out device with the armature, a plunger for the cylinder, and means for operating a train pipe valve upon the eration of the plunger, said meansjincluding an arm connected with the plunger. y Y

2. In a device of the class described, an electric circuit including an insulated track rail and a ramp rail, a manually operated device forcontrolling the circuit from a distant point, a motor and a circuit therefor,

' a cut-out device in the motor circuit, means energized by the circuit first named, when completed between the track rail and ramp rail for operating the cut-out device, grav-j ity controlled means for independently completing the circuit first named, and a device of combustible material for retaining the gravity controlled means normally inoperative. V

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE W. SELL.

contacting with the ramp rail, an apparatus 7 

